I stepped through the vale of unconsciousness. The vale smelled of bubble gum candy. I dived through the clouds on the other side and descended upon a cherry blossom forest. My toes felt the cool grass in between them. I reach up to pet the roses stuck in my hair.

In the shade of a flowering fruit tree, I reached up and plucked a cherry. I looked up to the clouds and saw the sky changing. I ran to see from a higher sight. From the view on the hill, I was above the multicolored clouds.

Still having the cherry in my palm, I took a bite. Crisp skin and a watery inside. My mouth watered for more. I kept plucking and plucking from the trees around me as the sun went down. Soon my stomach was full with food, much like my eyes were full of tears. Why did the sun have to leave?

I made my nest underneath the glowing dogwood tree. I could still see it's petals being blown in the grapefruit-pink wind. I looked all around at the innocent looking insects. I liked to imagine them as pink fairies in the night. My heart went out to them but I knew my time had come. For tomorrow I’d leave this world, as I always did.

I pretended time wouldn’t pass here and soaked up the beautiful scenery. I let my dream wrap around me like a warm scarf. My mind was relaxed and smooth like buttercream frosting as the night went on.

The vision of home was stuck in the back of my mind. I tried to ignore it. Home. The voice wouldn’t let me go so easily.. Yes, home. I know home. The place with tea parties and piglets in tutus. The place with valentines and- no, home. The real one, my mind reminded me. I didn't want to think what my subconscious was constantly thinking. No, this is my home. This forest of cherries and marigolds and- my world flickered black, like a dying light bulb. Flashing here and there. No, I didn’t want to leave. My vision went dark.

Wake up.